Former city councillor takes to Glastonbury stage for Gaza talk

A former city councillor took to the stage at Glastonbury for a discussion about Israel and Palestine.

Shaista Aziz, who represented Rose Hill and Iffley, spoke as part of a panel on the Left Field stage, which was first brought to the festival in 2000 and designed to promote left-wing politics.

Ms Aziz resigned from Labour in October over Sir Keir Starmer's position on the Israel-Gaza war.

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She described the event as an “extraordinarily powerful, moving, honest and necessary discussion”

Ms Aziz said: “There was a lot of pain, shock, trauma and raw emotion in the space, and a desire from many people to learn more about Israel’s ongoing 75-year occupation of Palestine, the ongoing genocide unfolding in Gaza and Britain’s ongoing colonial legacy in Palestine.

“Big love to Left Field and Glastonbury for making sure this discussion took place and for overcoming many challenges to do so.”

(Image: Shaista Aziz)

She added that she has been “overwhelmed” with the number of people who made time to speak to the former city councillor after the talk.

“I feel deeply privileged to have been invited back and for all the love and care shown to me by many people,” she said.

“Solidarity and love for the festivalgoers who flew the Palestine flag.”

Ms Aziz was among 10 Oxford councillors to resign from Labour towards the end of last year after party leader Sir Keir suggested Israel had a right to cut off food and water from Gaza.